What was your first job as a journalist?
My first paid job was serving as an intern at a weekly newspaper south of St. Louis in the summer of 2001 as a recent high school grad.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. I found one in my attic one day as a kid and typed out the current NHL standings on one. Man, that took a long time.
How is social media changing news?
Social media provides an immediacy never found before. It turned the news cycle into a circular saw that never stops.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
William Miller from "Almost Famous"
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be both be a reporter and storyteller. To chronicle events, while providing insight into the human condition at the same time.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I'll go with following Mitt Romney's threat to pull the plug on PBS.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
E-mail works fine. Straight and to the point. I'm a fan of bulleted information.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Word, Google, a digital recorder, a microphone that can go on the end of phones, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
What's your favorite social network?
Facebook
Who do you wish followed you?
Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, ESPN The Magazine, Rolling Stone, Texas Monthly, Slate, Esquire, The New Yorker, GQ, The Atlantic
Why did you become a journalist?
I am inquisitive by nature. I am detail-oriented. I was originally drawn into journalism by reading stories in Sports Illustrated as a kid.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I served as the co-sports editor of my high school paper and also served as the beat writer for the basketball team.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I did a three-part series on Native American nicknames for the Muskogee Phoenix that helped lead to a local college changing its nickname.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Realize that the needed tools are often lacking in other fields -- especially when it comes to fostering a sense of empathy for others.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Any time is a good time.
